By Rick Frazier, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

What's hot: When fishing inshore, negative low tides are a fisherman's best friend. Pools and deep pockets are exposed, revealing secret hideouts of inshore species such as snook, red drum (redfish) and speckled trout.

Technique: Barry Steele of Sydney, Australia, experienced this winter technique during last month's new moon. We double anchored next to an exposed sand bar that fell off into a 4-foot hole. The two anchors positioned the boat precisely so we could work the deep pool. We free-lined a live select shrimp. Shrimp is a great bait at this time of year because most bait fish have vamoosed. "Cast this shrimp out as far as you can and slowly walk it back to you," I instructed Steele. "When you feel the bump, get your line tight and set the hook." Steele took instructions quite well because it wasn't long before he had his first 17-inch trout; then another and another and another.

Rick Frazier runs Lucky Dawg Charters out of St. Petersburg and can be reached at (727) 510-4376.

Times wires
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

This week on pro golf tours

PGA: Phoenix Open, TPC Scottsdale, Stadium Course. TV: 4 p.m. today-Friday, Golf Channel; 1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Golf Channel; 3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Ch. 10

PGA Europe: Qatar Masters, Doha Golf Club, Doha, Qatar. TV: 9 a.m. today-Friday, 8:30 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, Golf Channel

Times wires
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

boxing

mayweather-cotto in may

LAS VEGAS — Floyd Mayweather on Wednesday received a boxing license and said he would fight Miguel Cotto on May 5.

Nevada's athletic commission granted him a conditional license for one fight before he goes to jail June 1 for 90 days in a domestic violence case. Mayweather (42-0, 26 KOs) chose Cotto (36-2, 29 KOs) after failing to land a date with Manny Pacquiao.

"I presented Pacquiao with the fight," Mayweather said. "Pacquiao is blowing a lot of smoke. … He doesn't really want to fight. I gave him a chance to step up to the plate. We're talking about a $10 million fighter that I tried to give $40 million to. We didn't even talk about the back end."

Mayweather will take on Cotto at 154 pounds, a move up from the longtime welterweight's past four fights.

stevenson 'fine': Three-time Olympic heavyweight champion Teofilo Stevenson, 59, said he is fine after spending two weeks in a Havana hospital for an arterial clot.

et cetera

tennis: Former top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki fired coach Ricardo Sanchez after two months. Wozniacki's father, Piotr, told the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet his daughter didn't get "new impulses" from Sanchez, hired in early December. Wozniacki in January lost to Kim Clijsters in the Australian Open quarterfinals and lost her No. 1 ranking. She is now ranked fourth. Piotr Wozniacki will go back to coaching his daughter on his own.

soccer: Chelsea defender John Terry will stand trial in July over allegations he racially abused an opponent in an October English Premier League match. Terry is accused of shouting abusive comments at Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand, who is black. At a hearing, his legal team entered a not guilty plea. If convicted, Terry faces a maximum fine of $3,940.

autos: The Daytona 500 will have a record purse of more than $19 million, and the winner of is guaranteed a minimum $1.4 million.

Times wires

Times wires
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — TE Rob Gronkowski, sidelined by a high left ankle sprain four days before the Super Bowl against the Giants, said Wednesday that the team is looking into a specialized cleat he could wear to make it easier for him to play.

"I think we're going over that (Wednesday night), so we will see with the training staff," Gronkowski said.

Gronkowski, who set a league record for tight ends with 17 touchdown receptions, was hurt late in the third quarter of the 23-20 win over the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 22. He had worn a protective boot for a week until shedding it Monday.

Gronkowski was the only player who did not practice Wednesday in a 21/2 hour practice at Colts team headquarters.

"He's getting better, but we'll just take it day to day," coach Bill Belichick said.

OT Sebastian Vollmer was a limited participant after missing the past seven games with back and foot problems. LT Matt Light practiced after dealing with an illness upon arriving in Indianapolis on Sunday.

Umenyiora fined: Giants DE Osi Umenyiora was fined $20,000 by the league for missing a mandatory morning media session. "I misunderstood the schedule," he said in a statement. "It won't happen again. … I apologize for any inconvenience my absence this morning may have caused." Umenyiora attended media day Tuesday and answered an hour's worth of questions, but he also complained that neither he nor any of his teammates truly wanted to be there, except, he said slyly, for media darling DE Justin Tuck.

practice surprise: Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw was a surprise participant in an 80-minute practice in which all players participated at the University of Indianapolis. He had been restricted to one practice a week with a broken bone in his right foot, and coach Tom Coughlin had said earlier in the day he would not practice.

Bradshaw told trainer Ronnie Barnes he "wants to be a part of this" and wanted to be out at the first practice, Coughlin said. "I just hope he's okay (today)."

Bradshaw was a limited participant, as were Umenyiora (ankle/knee), CB Corey Webster (hamstring), LB Jacquian Williams (foot) and WR Hakeem Nicks (shoulder).

Officials named: John Parry, a 12-year veteran in his fifth season as a referee, will be the game's referee. Parry worked the 2007 Super Bowl as a side judge. Joining him on Sunday's crew are umpire Carl Paganelli, head linesman Tom Stabile, line judge Gary Arthur, field judge Gary Cavaletto, side judge Laird Hayes and back judge Tony Steratore. The replay assistant is former referee Larry Nemmers, and the video operator is Lou Nazzaro. The highest-rated eligible officials at each position are selected to work the game. They must have at least five years of NFL experience and previous playoff assignments.

By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Times wires
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS — Jim Irsay is putting the Peyton Manning decision on hold.

The Colts owner said Wednesday he will monitor Manning's recovery from Sept. 8 neck surgery over the next month and may wait until the last possible moment to determine whether to pay the quarterback a $28 million roster bonus, redo the five-year contract he signed last summer or risk losing him as a free agent. A decision on the bonus must be made by March 8.

The issues are whether Manning will be able to play at a high level and what risks he might face, Irsay said. He said he will meet with Manning next week.

Also, new offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said he hopes Manning returns, though he believes the best way for a rookie to learn is by playing. Arians was Manning's first QB coach in the NFL. The Colts have the No. 1 overall draft pick in April. Irsay has said they will choose a QB.

bucs interviews: Steelers defensive assistant Jerry Olsavsky is interviewing for linebackers coach, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. Olsavsky, who played with the Steelers from 1989-97, was in line for the same position on Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin's staff until linebackers coach Keith Butler turned down a chance to become the Colts' defensive coordinator. Also, Rutgers defensive coordinator Bob Fraser interviewed with the Bucs in Tampa, the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reported.

pro bowl: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers blasted some NFC teammates' efforts in Sunday's game, won by the AFC 59-41. "I was just surprised that some of the guys either didn't want to play, or when they were in there didn't put any effort into it," he told Milwaukee's ESPN radio affiliate. He didn't name names.

chiefs: Offensive coordinator Bill Muir said he will retire after 34 years in the league. Muir spent seven seasons with the Bucs, where he won a Super Bowl as part of Jon Gruden's staff.

Dolphins: Linebacker Channing Crowder, who sat out this season, said he will make a comeback but not with the team that cut him in August. General manager Jeff Ireland "doesn't know what he's doing, in my opinion," said the former Gator, who retired after Miami cut him.

Steelers: Former FSU safety and Rhodes Scholar Myron Rolle said he signed a three-year deal.

Titans: Receiver Kenny Britt pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace stemming from a June arrest at a car wash in Hoboken, N.J. He also paid a $1,500 fine. Police said they suspected him of carrying a marijuana cigar, crushing it and disposing of it.

Times staff writer Rick Stroud contributed to this report.

By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

.TONIGHT

No. 12 Florida vs. South Carolina

When/where: 9, Stephen C. O'Connell Center, Gainesville

TV/radio: ESPN2; 620-AM

Records: South Carolina 9-11, 1-5 SEC; Florida 17-4, 5-1

Notable: The Gators will try to extend their home winning streak to 12 in the second game of a three-game homestand, their longest of the season. … This is the first repeat opponent for the Gators, who defeated South Carolina in Columbia on Jan. 14. … The Gators still have all five regular starters averaging in double figures, but junior guard and leading scorer Kenny Boynton is looking to rebound from a two-point effort against Mississippi State. Senior guard Erving Walker had just nine in that game.

Antonya English, Times staff writer

Times wires

Times wires
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

COLUMBUS — When opposing recruiters brought up Ohio State's bowl ban and other problems, new Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer fought back.

"It was a two-week assault," Meyer said after signing 25 in what many termed a top-5 class. "But instead of waiting for that to come, we went after it."

Despite a 2012 bowl ban, NCAA probation and recruiting limitations, the forced resignation of Jim Tressel and the most losses (seven) for the Buckeyes since 1897, Meyer's first recruiting class was a success.

The headline-grabbing position was the defensive line, particularly end.

Meyer had a cautious assessment: "I signed a class (at Florida) one time that I heard a reporter say was the greatest class in history of high school football. Some aren't there any more. You just don't know."

Noah Spence was one of four Ohio State recruits who switched allegiance from Penn State, and Se'von Pittman initially indicated he would go to Michigan State. Two others started out committing to Notre Dame and another to Wisconsin.

Badgers coach Bret Bielema was asked if Meyer had changed Big Ten recruiting methods.

"There's a few things that happened early on I made people be aware of that I didn't want to see in this league that I had seen take place at other leagues," Bielema said. "Other recruiting tactics, other recruiting practices that are illegal. I was very up front. I actually reached out to Coach Meyer and shared my thoughts and concerns with him and the situation got rectified."

He said Meyer asked him: "You know what the difference between the Big Ten and our conference is? I said, 'No', and he said, 'In the Big Ten, everybody tells on everybody. In our conference nobody tells on anybody.' "

Rutgers keeps recruits: When Greg Schiano left last week to become Bucs coach, it was feared that Rutgers would lose much of what was being touted as its best recruiting class. New coach Kyle Flood and his staff kept it together. Rutgers lost one commitment and came away with a class that included most of the top players in New Jersey.

penn state pleased: New Penn State coach Bill O'Brien gave credit to recruits who stuck with verbal commitments in light of the upheaval surrounding the program since November. Just more than half of the 19-member class is holdovers who initially committed to O'Brien's predecessor, the late Joe Paterno — a foundation that O'Brien said allowed the new regime to target fresh prospects. "That was a real testament to their mental toughness and their ability to stick it out," O'Brien said. "I give them all the credit in the world. I can't wait to start coaching and working with them." Recruiting services ranked Penn State's class anywhere from 39th to 50th in the country and middle of the pack in the Big Ten.

Four full years: With NCAA legislation pending approval this month, Florida is among schools that said their incoming classes will be the first to receive four-year scholarships that no longer must be renewed annually. Others include Ohio State, Auburn, Michigan, Michigan State and Nebraska. Nick Saban wouldn't say what Alabama will do: "I think this is some people's cynical approach to think that coaches don't have the best interest of the young people that they coach in mind. I resent that.''

Times wires
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In the middle of another rough shooting night, Tim Hardaway found himself open on the left wing.

With Michigan needing a basket, the talented sophomore didn't hesitate.

"It was a walk-in 3, and we got it from penetration. That's when, as a team, we strive to shoot those types of balls," he said. "Lucky enough, it went in."

Hardaway's 3-pointer with 2:58 left helped the 23rd-ranked Wolverines hold off No. 20 Indiana 68-56 Wednesday night. Michigan scored the game's first 13 and led by 20 before the Hoosiers rallied to cut the deficit to two. With the score 52-50, Hardaway and Stu Douglass made huge 3-pointers.

"Coach looked at us and was begging us to make open shots," Douglass said.

During the final seconds, the Michigan fans began chanting "Beat the Spartans!" The Wolverines will try for their fourth straight victory over Michigan State on Sunday in East Lansing.

Trey Burke scored 18 for the Wolverines, who improved to 13-0 at home. They got off to a quick start after last weekend's loss at No. 3 Ohio State.

Burke opened the scoring with a spinning layup and added two 3s, and Zack Novak's 3-pointer from the right corner put Michigan (17-6, 7-3 Big Ten) ahead 13-0.

The Hoosiers (17-6, 5-6) trailed 28-8 after a free throw by Michigan's Jordan Morgan.

"We've been very fortunate that we're not dependent just on one or two guys," Wolverines coach John Beilein said. "One guy has had a great game, and we were able to squeak by and win. Another day, someone else has been at the top of their game. I just said, 'You know, it is okay if everybody plays pretty well on the same day.' And today was supposed to be the day. For those first 10 minutes, it certainly was."

NO. 13 CREIGHTON 102, ILLINOIS ST. 74: Doug McDermott scored 17 of his 25 in the first half to lead six players in double figures for the host Bluejays (21-2, 11-1 MVC), who won their 11th straight.

NO. 14 G'TOWN 58, UCONN 44: Hollis Thompson had 18 points, and the host Hoyas (17-4, 7-3 Big East) held the Huskies to season lows in points and shooting (30 percent) to hand Connecticut its fourth straight loss.

TAMPA 98, ROLLINS 88: Ashton Graham had a career-high 30 points and Callum Townsend a career-best 26 for the visiting Spartans (5-15, 1-9 Sunshine State), who shot 53.8 percent from the field and hit a season-high 16 3-pointers.

ECKERD 78, NOVA SE 72: Lance Kearse had 30 points and seven rebounds for the visiting Tritons (14-5, 7-3 SSC), who won their third straight game.

LYNN 61, SAINT LEO 50: The visiting Lions (9-10, 3-6 SSC) shot only 30.4 percent (17-of-56) and lost for the fourth time in five games.

NO. 9 MICHIGAN ST.: Forward Draymond Green was diagnosed with a sprained left knee and is listed as day to day.

PROVIDENCE: Freshman forward Sidiki Johnson will transfer from Arizona next season. Johnson was suspended by Arizona coach Sean Miller on Nov. 21 for an undisclosed violation of team policy and left the program 13 days later.

Beloved coach dies

Charlie Spoonhour won big wherever he went and left 'em all smiling.

The popular, homespun coach who put Missouri State on the map with five NCAA Tournament appearances and led Saint Louis to three more with a mixture of sharpshooting and tenacious defense known as Spoonball, died in Chapel Hill, N.C., after a two-year battle with a lung disease. He was 72.

"Charlie was one of a kind," Missouri Valley Conference commissioner Doug Elgin said. "He was magnetic, charismatic. Just an unforgettable character."

In 19 seasons as a Division I head coach, the last three at UNLV from 2001-04, Mr. Spoonhour went 373-202.

USF women edged

TAMPA — USF blew a chance to move back above .500 in the Big East, getting dominated on the boards in a 55-52 loss to West Virginia.

Jasmine Wynne had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulls (12-11, 4-5), who were outrebounded 51-28 by the Mountaineers (16-6, 6-3) and were outscored 13-5 on second chances.

"We knew what West Virginia did well; we just didn't do what we were supposed to in the paint," USF coach Jose Fernandez said.

ROLLINS 79, TAMPA 51: The visiting Spartans (9-11, 2-8 Sunshine State) committed a season-high 25 turnovers.

ECKERD 50, NOVA SE 48: Krystal Charles had 17 points and eight rebounds for the visiting Tritons (12-6, 6-4 SSC), who held off a late rally.

LYNN 62, SAINT LEO 52: The host Fighting Knights used a 14-3 run early in the second half to rally past the Lions (6-13, 0-9 SSC).

NO. 1 BAYLOR 71, MISSOURI 41: Brittney Griner scored 18 and Kimetria Hayden had 15 points and four steals as the visiting Bears (22-0, 9-0 Big 12) rolled.

NO. 18 TEXAS A&M 67, NO. 25 TEXAS TECH 55: Adaora Elonu scored 16 for the visiting Aggies (15-5, 6-3 Big 12), who held the Raiders (15-6, 3-6) without a field goal for six minutes.

Times wires
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida State players swear coach Leonard Hamilton didn't raise his voice, at least too much, with them at halftime Wednesday night before the Seminoles got rolling on the way to a 68-54 victory over Georgia Tech.

The 21st-ranked Seminoles were playing the ACC's last-place team and were trailing 25-24 at halftime.

FSU hadn't played in a week and looked rusty, scoring only 10 over the final 12:45 of the first half and tossing the ball away 11 times — plenty to frustrate even a veteran coach like Hamilton.

"It did get a little hyped up every once in a while," said senior center Bernard James, who had 13 points and eight rebounds for FSU. "Strategy type stuff. A little reminder of the small things."

Those little things paid big dividends as FSU shot 61.5 percent and had four turnovers in the second half to 14 for Tech.

Michael Snaer scored 16 of his 21 in the second half as the Seminoles got their school-record sixth straight ACC win.

FSU (15-6, 6-1) is off to its best ACC start since joining for the 1991-92 season and stayed tied with North Carolina for first place. Duke is right behind at 5-1.

Snaer's big second half helped awaken a slumbering offense that shot 34.8 percent in the first. The 6-foot-4 junior made 5 of 7 3-pointers and has made 11 of his past 13, including a buzzer-beating winner at Duke on Jan. 21.

Georgia Tech (8-14, 1-7) had the halftime lead despite not having scoring and rebounding leader Glen Rice, who missed the game with a foot injury.

"I think they played up to us," Snaer said. "They hit us every chance they got."

Brandon Reed, who made 4 of 8 3-pointers, scored a season-high 18 and Daniel Miller added 10 for the Yellow Jackets, who lost their sixth straight.

Two free throws by Reed capped an 18-8 run that gave Georgia Tech its first lead, 23-22 with 3:09 left in the half.

"This was a good opportunity for us to get that feel of what it's going to be like when people are going to be playing you when you are in first place in a league that is as talented and as well coached as the ACC," Hamilton said. "We are in a position that we have never been in before … at the top of the heap and people are wanting to get to that type of spot."

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

NEW PORT RICHEY — When River Ridge beat Mitchell last month, the Royal Knights had 19 points in the paint from Vashoula Kostogiannes to earn a three-point victory.

With a trip to regionals at stake, the Mustangs' defense refused to be bullied.

Mitchell's defense stifled the Royal Knights on Wednesday night in a 33-24 victory that ended end its rival's turnaround season and pushed the Mustangs into Friday's Class 6A, District 10 title game against Tarpon Springs. The top-seeded Spongers held onto beat Land O'Lakes 41-38 in Wednesday's late game.

"It's awesome," Mustangs coach Jacob Tavo said.

The offense was not.

River Ridge led 4-2 after a first quarter that featured almost twice as many turnovers (11) as points (six). The teams combined for 43 turnovers in the game and shot 26 percent from the field.

"We decided we were just going to make them shoot the ball," Tavo said, instead of letting River Ridge (16-8) pound the post. The result was the Royal Knights' lowest scoring output of the season and a seven-minute scoring drought midway through the game.

Mitchell (15-10) took advantage of it with a 13-2 run in the second and third quarters, capped off with a jumper by Emily Morales. She, Nina Argento and Caitlin Baggarly led the Mustangs with eight points each.

River Ridge fought hard, forcing eight fourth-quarter turnovers, but could never mount enough offense to complete the rally. Freshman Leah Ford led the Royal Knights with 11 points, including all eight of their first-half points. Kostogiannes added eight points.

In the nightcap, the Gators (8-14) played the Spongers tough but couldn't upset the district's top seed and fell 41-38.

Land O'Lakes led 19-17 at halftime but went through a long scoring drought midway through the game. Tarpon Springs forced 13 turnovers in the second and third quarters and held the Gators without a field goal for the entire third quarter.

Land O'Lakes began attacking the basket in the fourth quarter with back-to-back layups by Pamela Andrade and Nicole Kraning to tie the game. Kraning's steal and a layup by Andrade gave the Gators a 35-33 lead with 1:32 left, but they couldn't hang on.

Tarpon Springs answered with two quick layups and a baseline jumper by Eleni Karavokiros with 23 seconds left put the Spongers ahead for good.

Andrade led Land O'Lakes with 12 points, and senior Kendra Sheets chipped in 10.

Matt Baker can be reached at mbaker@tampabay.com.

Times wires
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

SUNRISE — Mikael Samuelsson had two goals and the Panthers beat the Capitals 4-2 on Wednesday.

The Panthers moved into first place in the Southeast Division, one point ahead of Washington.

Brooks Laich and John Carlson scored for the Capitals, and Michal Neuvirth had 35 saves.

Game highlights: Referee Kelly Sutherland did not return after a deflected shot struck him in the face early in the first period of the Rangers' 1-0 shootout win over the host Sabres.

Around the league: Blue Jackets forward Jared Boll was fined $2,500, the maximum allowed under the collective bargaining agreement, for a check to the head of Sharks forward Joe Thornton on Tuesday. He was penalized in the game. … Devils forward Eric Boulton was fined $2,500 for an unpenalized slash on Rangers forward Mike Rupp on Tuesday.

First Period—None. Penalties—Chimera, Was (high-sticking), 14:56.

Second Period—1, Fla., Samuelsson 4 (Strachan, Bergenheim), :33. 2, Wash., Laich 10 (Alzner, Chimera), 11:15. Penalties—Wideman, Was (delay of game), 4:45; Ellerby, Fla (holding), 9:18; Carlson, Was (high-sticking), 9:29.

Third Period—3, Fla., Samuelsson 5 (Campbell, Fleischmann), 4:57 (pp). 4, Fla., Weiss 13 (Kopecky, Fleischmann), 9:52. 5, Wash., Carlson 6, 17:39. 6, Fla., Matthias 9, 19:07 (en). Penalties—Hendricks, Was (goaltender interference), 4:07; Barch, Fla (goaltender interference), 5:44. Shots on Goal—Wash. 11-7-10—28. Fla. 15-9-14—38. Power-play opportunities—Wash. 0 of 2; Fla. 1 of 4. Goalies—Wash., Neuvirth 6-8-3 (37 shots-34 saves). Fla., Clemmensen 7-2-5 (28-26).

First Period—None. Penalties—MacArthur, Tor (hooking), 3:37; Letang, Pit (boarding), 5:25.

Second Period—None. Penalties—Malkin, Pit (holding), 11:34.

Third Period—1, Toronto, MacArthur 16 (Grabovski, Kulemin), 13:55. Penalties—Grabovski, Tor (tripping), 4:43; Letang, Pit (slashing), 8:38; Michalek, Pit (interference), 14:59. Shots on Goal—Pitts. 4-12-9—25. Toronto 8-9-7—24. Power-play opportunities—Pitts. 0 of 2; Toronto 0 of 4. Goalies—Pitts., Johnson 2-6-2 (24 shots-23 saves). Toronto, Reimer 8-5-4 (25-25).

First Period—None. Penalties—Rupp, NYR (hooking), 11:38; Girardi, NYR (tripping), 12:57; Boyle, NYR (roughing), 20:00; Kaleta, Buf (roughing), 20:00.

Second Period—None. Penalties—Bickel, NYR (hooking), 14:51.

Third Period—None. Penalties—Ennis, Buf (high-sticking), 6:00; Stralman, NYR (hooking), 14:49; Del Zotto, NYR (delay of game), 18:22.

Overtime—None. Penalties—Ennis, Buf (boarding), :47. Shootout—NYR 2 (Gaborik G, Mitchell NG, Richards NG, Stepan NG, Callahan G), Buffalo 1 (Gerbe NG, Boyes NG, Pominville G, Ennis NG, Leino NG). Shots on Goal—NYR 9-10-6-4—29. Buffalo 11-8-12-3—34. Power-play opportunities—NYR 0 of 2; Buffalo 0 of 5. Goalies—NYR, Lundqvist 23-10-4 (34 shots-34 saves). Buffalo, R.Miller 13-15-3 (29-29).

Times staff
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

LUTZ — Steinbrenner advanced to the 7A-9 district final for the first time in school history Wednesday night, narrowly holding off an emotional and persistent Chamberlain team, 56-48.

The Warriors (21-2) got more of a challenge than they expected after cruising to victories over the Chiefs during the regular season.

In the early game, Freedom held off Wiregrass Ranch (20-8) 54-46 despite 23 points from Bulls senior guard Kelly McCaffrey.

Chamberlain's defense often stifled coach JR Allen's offense and left his team rushing back on defense. Giving up more than 45 points for only fourth time all season, Allen was frustrated by what he saw from his team in an elimination game.

"I'm very disappointed," Allen said. "I think our girls under estimated this team. I tried to tell them before the game that we were going to get their best shot, but apparently it fell on deaf ears. We were thinking about Friday night and it's not even Thursday yet.

"We've got to find some motivation and leadership for Friday."

The Warriors' leading scorer, Bailey Hooker, was the most frustrated by Chamberlain's intensity, scoring just 14.

The Chiefs (9-12) were led by seniors Clarice Devine and Blaire Davis. Devine finished with 18 points and eight steals while Davis added 12 points and five steals but had a horrific night at the free-throw line, going 4-for-12.

In the early game, Freedom struggled with foul trouble.

"We haven't been a great free-throw shooting team all year, but we fortunately knocked down the ones that mattered at the end," Freedom coach Laurie Pacholke said. "We're a young team, and when the momentum shifted in the fourth quarter I just told them to weather the storm and not get flustered."

8A-7: Newsome takes out top-seeded Plant

TAMPA — Plant defeated Newsome by 37 and 43 points in two regular-season victories.

The Panthers probably wished they had saved a couple of those baskets for the third meeting with in the district tournament.

Newsome hung close for three quarters then outscored the Panthers 18-3 in the fourth for a stunning, come-from-behind 53-49 win in an 8A-7 district tournament semifinal at Plant.

Plant, the defending district champion and No. 1 seed, had advanced to regionals eight straight seasons but saw that string snapped by an upstart Newsome squad that refused to fold, despite trailing 46-35 heading into the fourth quarter.

Fourth-seeded Newsome inched held Plant (19-5) scoreless in the fourth until 2:13 remained. Newsome sophomore Lauren Boerger (16 points) drained a jumper just inside the 3-point line with 2:40 to go to tie the game at 46, and the Wolves grabbed their first lead since the opening quarter when she made two free throws with 1:56 on the clock.

Newsome hit 7-of-8 from the charity stripe over the final two minutes.

Bryan Burns, Times correspondent

Times staff, wires
Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Angelo Dundee, the brilliant trainer and motivator who worked the corner for Muhammad Ali in his greatest fights and willed Sugar Ray Leonard to victory in his biggest bout, died Wednesday (Feb. 1, 2012) of a heart attack. He was 90.

Mr. Dundee was best known for being in Ali's corner for most of his career, but those in the sport also knew him as an ambassador for boxing and a figure of integrity in a sport that often lacked it.

"He did everything he wanted to do," his son, Jim, said.

Mr. Dundee, who lived in Palm Harbor, had been admitted to a hospital with a blood clot after his return to the Tampa Bay area from Louisville, Ky., where he attended Ali's 70th birthday party on Jan. 14, Jim said. After a few days in the hospital, he was transferred to a rehabilitation center, where he died.

"Angelo was the greatest motivator of all time," promoter Bob Arum said. "No matter how bad things were, Angelo always put a positive spin on them. That's what Ali loved so much about him."

Arum credited Mr. Dundee with persuading Ali to continue in his third fight against Joe Frazier when Frazier was coming on strong in the "Thrilla in Manilla." Without him, Arum said, Ali may not have had the strength to stop Frazier after the 14th round.

Mr. Dundee also worked the corner for Leonard, famously shouting "You're blowing it, son. You're blowing it," when Leonard fell behind in his 1981 fight with Tommy Hearns. Leonard rallied to win by knockout.

Mr. Dundee was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994 after a career that spanned six decades and 15 world champions, including Ali, Leonard, George Foreman and Jose Napoles.

With Ali, he had one of the most successful fighter-trainer relationships in history. He helped Ali become the first to win the heavyweight title three times. "I just put the reflexes in the proper direction," Mr. Dundee said in 2005.

Their partnership began with a 1959 meeting in Louisville, Ali's hometown. After Ali returned from the 1960 Olympics with a gold medal, Mr. Dundee ran into him in Louisville again and invited him to train with him in Miami Beach. Ali declined. But that December, Mr. Dundee got a call from one of Ali's handlers, seeking to hire him. After Ali won his first pro fight, Dundee accepted.

Born Angelo Mirena on Aug. 30, 1921, in Philadelphia, Mr. Dundee got into boxing because of his brothers Chris, a promoter, and Joe, a fighter. All changed their surname to Dundee so their parents wouldn't know they worked in boxing. Angelo and Chris made South Florida a boxing destination when Chris opened Miami Beach's 5th Street Gym in the 1950s.

More than 10 years ago, Mr. Dundee and his wife, Helen, moved to Palm Harbor to be closer to Jim and their daughter, Terri Dundee Coughlin. Helen died in 2010.

Mr. Dundee was to be a special guest at the Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame ceremony Friday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. Rays manager Joe Maddon said on Twitter: "Our condolences to Angelo's family … am very fortunate to have known him … incredible spirit … shall be missed."

Mr. Dundee's death leaves Tampa native Ferdie Pacheco, known as the "Fight Doctor," as the only surviving member of Ali's famed corner.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

TAMPA — Missed shots didn't keep Blake and Robinson from making statements Wednesday night in the Class 5A, District 11 tournament.

Despite misfiring on a combined 94 field-goal attempts, the host Yellow Jackets and Knights earned regional playoff berths and a spot in Friday's 7 p.m. district finale with almost identical victories. Blake (15-9) defeated Spoto (6-11), a team with only six players, 43-32. Robinson (15-8) ousted Middleton (5-15) 43-35.

Blake missed its first 15 shots but never trailed as Dominique Brown scored 18 and Le'Area Wilkerson added 12. The Yellow Jackets overcame 17-for-67 shooting from the field by forcing 34 turnovers and holding Spoto to 33 field-goal attempts.

"We thought we were going to come in and blow (Spoto) out," Wilkerson said. "But we finally calmed down, took our time and played our game. We practice a lot on defense, and defense is the key to winning."

Ivanie Carswell and Jordan Pate each scored 13 for Spoto, which missed its final six shots after pulling with 37-32 in the final three minutes.

Robinson missed 44 of 62 field-goal attempts and 16 of 19 free-throw tries. The Knights also committed 26 turnovers, allowing Middleton to threaten after trailing by 17 early in the fourth quarter. "I'm not happy with our free-throw shooting and our ball control," Robinson coach Jessica Vitale said. "We have a lot of things to prepare for in practice to get ready for Friday."

Deliah Autry had 21 points and Nika Wright 10 for Robinson. Feliciti Reid led Middleton with 16 points and Jackie Simmons added 13.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

TAMPA — Plant defeated Newsome by 37 and 43 points in two regular-season victories.

The Panthers probably wished they had saved a couple of those baskets for the third meeting in the district tournament.

Newsome hung close for three quarters then outscored the Panthers 18-3 in the fourth for a stunning come-from-behind 53-49 win in an 8A-7 district tournament semifinal at Plant.

Plant, the defending district champion and tournament No. 1 seed, had advanced to regionals eight straight seasons but saw that string snapped by an upstart Newsome squad that refused to fold, despite trailing 46-35 heading into the fourth quarter.

Behind a stifling, trapping defense, fourth-seeded Newsome inched closer over the final eight minutes, holding Plant (19-5) scoreless in the fourth until 2:13 remained in the game. Newsome sophomore Lauren Boerger (16 points) drained a jumper just inside the 3-point line with 2:40 to go to tie the score at 46, and the Wolves grabbed their first lead since the opening quarter when Boerger made two free throws with 1:56 on the clock.

Newsome hit 7-of-8 from the free-throw line over the final two minutes to stay in front. The Wolves had been abysmal from the line to that point, going 18-for-36 for the game.

"Tonight we just knew it was win or go home, and we had nothing to lose," Newsome head coach Sara Seelbach said.

Newsome (15-8) led 17-14 after the first quarter but trailed by 11 at halftime. The Wolves got a team-high 18 points from Brandi Pappas. Plant's Kelly Brennan led all scorers with 19 points but fouled out in the game's closing seconds.

"Once we started off well in the first quarter, got that lead, that rattles teams, and we just stuck with it," Seelbach said.

Newsome advances to the postseason for the first time in school history. The Wolves will face Wharton in Friday's 8A-7 final after the third-seeded Wildcats upended No. 2 seed Durant 52-49 in the early semifinal.

With the score tied at 44, Monica Cazes hit a 3-pointer with 1:16 to go to give Wharton (12-14) its first lead since early in the third quarter. Cazes made a layup 23 seconds later to extend the lead to five.

"That seems like the 10th time this season I've hit a 3 in the closing minutes of the game," Cazes said. "I don't know why, if it's my energy, my head, I don't know. I hit them when they count, when I need to hit them."

Ashley Nelson had 18 points and Yikera Kurns 14 to lead Durant (15-10).

Thursday, February 2, 2012

LUTZ — Steinbrenner advanced to the 7A-9 district final for the first time in school history Wednesday night, narrowly holding off an emotional and persistent Chamberlain team, 56-48.

The Warriors (21-2) got more of a challenge than they expected after cruising to victories over the Chiefs during the regular season. Chamberlain's defense often stifled coach JR Allen's offense and left his team rushing back on defense. Giving up more than 45 points for only fourth time all season, Allen was frustrated by what he saw from his team in an elimination game.

"I'm very disappointed," Allen said. "I think our girls under estimated this team. I tried to tell them before the game that we were going to get their best shot, but apparently it fell on deaf ears. We were thinking about Friday night and it's not even Thursday yet.

"We've got to find some motivation and leadership for Friday."

The Warriors' leading scorer, Bailey Hooker, was the most frustrated by Chamberlain's intensity, scoring just 14.

The Chiefs (9-12) were led by seniors Clarice Devine and Blaire Davis. Devine finished with 18 points and eight steals while Davis added 12 points and five steals but had a horrific night at the free-throw line, going 4-for-12.

In the early game, Freedom (18-8) held off Wiregrass Ranch (20-8) 54-46 despite struggling with foul trouble and stopping Bulls senior guard Kelly McCaffrey, who finished with 23 points.

"We haven't been a great free-throw shooting team all year, but we fortunately knocked down the ones that mattered at the end," Freedom coach Laurie Pacholke said. "We're a young team, and when the momentum shifted in the fourth quarter I just told them to weather the storm and not get flustered."

5A-12: Lakewood defeats Bogie again

ST. PETERSBURG — Lakewood coach Necole Tunsil had a one-word description for her team's 45-35 win over Boca Ciega in the Class 5A-12 semifinal.

"Horrible," she said.

Think about how bad Boca Ciega feels.

At least the Spartans have advanced to the district final, Friday night at Lakewood. The Pirates' season is over, and so to is the school's 19-year streak of reaching a district final.

Lakewood's "horrible" win is the third straight over Boca Ciega this season. The Spartans (16-10) grabbed a first-half lead and never gave it up. The Pirates used an aggressive defense to hang on in the first quarter and trailed only 11-8.

But Lakewood went on an 8-0 run to start the second quarter thanks to a fullcourt press and layups from Shineice Beamon, Kasey Drayton and Mimi Flowers. Boca Ciega (17-10) never really got close after that.

"From there, those eight points felt like 16," Boca Ciega coach Michael Hall said. "They were more experienced. It was just one of those nights where they got up by eight and we couldn't chip away."

Rodney Page, Times staff writer

Thursday, February 2, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG — Lakewood coach Necole Tunsil had a one-word description for her team's 45-35 win over Boca Ciega on Wednesday night in the Class 5A-12 semifinal.

"Horrible," she said.

Think about how Boca Ciega feels.

At least the Spartans have advanced to the district final, Friday night at Lakewood. The Pirates' season is over, and so to is the school's 19-year streak of reaching a district final.

Lakewood's "horrible" win is the third straight over Boca Ciega this season. The Spartans (16-10) grabbed a first-half lead and never gave it up. The Pirates used an aggressive defense to hang on in the first quarter and trailed only 11-8.

But Lakewood went on an 8-0 run to start the second quarter thanks to a fullcourt press and layups from Shineice Beamon, Kasey Drayton and Mimi Flowers. Boca Ciega (17-10) never really got close after that.

"From there, those eight points felt like 16," Boca Ciega coach Michael Hall said. "They were more experienced. It was just one of those nights where they got up by eight and we couldn't chip away."

That's not to say the Pirates didn't try. With 2:31 left in the third quarter, a Jakera Allen layup cut the lead to six. But Drayton got to work and scored five of the next seven points to keep the Pirates behind.

Drayton ended with a team high 12 points. Flowers added nine. Boca Ciega was led by Destiny Brown, who scored 14 points, and Kenya Joseph, who scored 11.

Tunsil had a chat with her team after the game, just to remind them every game counts from here on.

"This was just one those nights where I think the girls were looking to Southeast a little too much," Tunsil said. "I'm just disappointed in general."

Thursday, February 2, 2012

The Eagles pulled off the biggest upset of the girls basketball season at the right time.

East Lake (15-10) eliminated top-seeded PHU (22-4) 69-57 on Wednesday and will play at home Friday against North Port in the district final.

PHU's all-time leading scorer, Kristine Fuller, was held to 14 points and fouled out late in the game. The Eagles were led by Emily Dine, who scored 23. Amber Jennings added 16, Marlyce Meredith 14 and Jenny Pavlik 10.

"It was the most exciting game that I've ever been a part of, and we had to go into the lion's den to get it," East Lake coach Steve Plummer said. "It is a shame that the season had to end that way for (Fuller). She's such a great player. But we played some really good defense on her and we hit our shots."

Plummer used Bryanna Joslin and Amanda Barnett in a box and one defense to try to frustrate Fuller. After losing to PHU twice this season, Plummer knew what his team had to do.

"We can play with them," he said. "We had four good days of practice to prepare. Our box and one defense worked very well."